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What to eat in the Algarve? Top 26 Algarvian Foods

Last update: Sun Apr 20 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Algarvian Foods

01
Carne de porco à Alentejana
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This traditional Portugal dish combines marinated pieces of pork with clams and a lightly spicy, wine-infused sauce. Though the name of this classic might imply it originated in Alentejo, it is believed that it initially appeared in the Algarve region, but was given its current name because of the highly-prized black pigs that are most commonly reared in Alentejo.


The dish is a restaurant staple that is found throughout Portugal. It is usually garnished with fresh cilantro and paired with lemon wedges, pan-fried potatoes, and country-style bread on the side.

02
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Frango assado com piri piri, which is often simply referred to as frango assado (roasted chicken), is a Portuguese dish with vague origins. It is usually made with a whole butterflied chicken that can be marinated in a combination of olive oil, seasonings, and crushed piri-piri peppers.


After it is roasted or grilled, the chicken is served with a piri-piri sauce—a mixture of dry or fresh chili peppers and oil, along with other optional ingredients. Portuguese frango assado is closely connected to an African dish that is known as piri-piri (peri-peri) chicken, and it is still not clear where this Portuguese version originated. 

MOST ICONIC Frango assado com piri piri

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03
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These sugar-coated Portuguese treats consist of an almond shell and a creamy egg-based filling. The shell combines ground almonds and egg whites, while the center is made with traditional Portuguese doce de ovos - a smooth, rich custard consisting of egg yolks and sugar.


The name of these delectable desserts roughly translates as small almond cheeses, due to their cylindrical forms and white shells that make them visually similar to cheese wheels. Queijinhos de amêndoa are mainly enjoyed in the region of Algarve.

04

Dessert

ALGARVE, Portugal
4.0
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Doce fino is a traditional sweet from the Algarve region made with almond paste, sugar, and egg yolks. The sweet is often shaped into a variety of forms, such as fruits, animals, or flowers, and then brightly painted with food coloring to look like the real thing.


The artistic presentation of these sweets is a significant part of the tradition, and they're often made to look very realistic and intricate. The flavor of doce fino is sweet and almondy, and the texture is typically soft and slightly chewy. The use of almonds in this and other traditional Algarve sweets is influenced by the region's history, as almond trees are plentiful in the Algarve and were widely used in the local cuisine during the period of Moorish rule. 
05

Pudding

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.9
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Although custard flans are enjoyed throughout Portugal, this orange-flavored version is traditionally associated with Algarve – the southernmost Portuguese region famous for their oranges. This simple dessert consists of a smooth egg-based custard that is enriched with orange juice and orange zest.


It is typically baked in round tins, then enjoyed well-chilled. Similar varieties are also popular in Brazil.

06

Dessert

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.9
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Dom Rodrigo is a Portuguese dessert that is traditionally associated with the Algarve region, where it’s been made since the 18th century. It is prepared with a combination of egg yolks, sugar, ground almonds, cinnamon, and fios de ovos - a traditional confectionary product consisting of thin egg threads.


The gooey mixture of egg yolks and almonds is neatly placed inside fios de ovos, and the whole combination is wrapped in colorful foil that’s shaped into a small pyramid. Similar to other Portuguese desserts, it is believed that Dom Rodrigos also originated as a conventual dessert. 

MOST ICONIC Dom Rodrigo

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Cake

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.5
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This light Portuguese sponge cake is prepared with fig-leaf squash, which is locally known as chila or gila. The cake combines already prepared squash jam or raw mashed squash with eggs, cocoa, and ground almonds, and the whole dish can be flavored with cinnamon or orange juice.


This moist and flavorful cake is traditionally associated with the region of Algarve and is often decorated with a light dusting of powdered sugar or fios de ovos - traditional confectionary consisting of thin egg threads.

08

Stew

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.5
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This flavorful Portuguese dish consists of thoroughly cleaned snails that are stewed in a simple combination of water and oregano sticks, while different variations also may include other types of herbs, tomatoes, or chili peppers. As the name suggests, the dish is associated with Algarve, where snails are traditionally harvested from April to June.


Caracóis are always served in the shell, and the whole dish is usually accompanied by country-style bread.

09

Dessert

ALGARVE, Portugal
3.3
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Queijo de figo is a local Algarve specialty that is prepared with dry figs and almonds as the two basic ingredients. Traditionally, sliced figs and almonds were layered into a mold and drizzled with brandy. The combination would then be pressed and stored until the ingredients were combined into a firm cake.


Optionally, ground figs and almonds can be mixed with syrup in order to create a compact mixture that is then pressed into a mold. Although these fig cakes are traditionally round, they can be formed into other shapes, but their unusual name, which translates as fig cheese, stems from the classic round form that is reminiscent of a cheese wheel.

10

Rice Dish

ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
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This traditional Portuguese dish consists of rice and sliced conger eel. It's mainly associated with the Algarve region. Other ingredients for the dish typically include onions, garlic, tomatoes, white wine, parsley, bay leaves, coriander, and olive oil.


The combination of vegetables and seasonings is cooked in olive oil with the conger eel slices added to the pot in the end. When it’s done, the fish should be removed, and the rice added to the mix. Before serving, the slices of eel are mixed with the rice and sprinkled with fresh coriander or chopped parsley.

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Cold Soup
ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
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Porridge
ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
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Stew
ALGARVE, Portugal
3.6
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Salad
ALGARVE, Portugal
3.4
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Cake
ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
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Dessert
ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
26
Cake
ALGARVE, Portugal
n/a
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Algarvian Food Producers

01

Wine

GUIA, Portugal
4.5
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2022

BEST Guia Wines
02
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2024, 2019

BEST Concepts by Edd's II Lda. Wines
03

Wine

ALGARVE, Portugal
4.5
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2022

BEST Patrick Agostini, LDA Wines
04
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Viveiros Monterosa, Lda is an olive oil producer located in the Algarve region of Portugal. The company focuses on producing high-quality, extra virgin olive oil from olives grown in their own orchards. They operate out of a traditional farmhouse in Moncarapacho, near Olhão.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold

2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015

Olive Japan - Premier

2015

05
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Oliveira da Serra is a modern olive oil mill located in Ferreira do Alentejo, near Beja, Portugal. The facility is known for incorporating advanced technology and sustainable practices in olive oil production. The mill is part of the Sovena Group, which is one of the largest olive oil producers in the world.


It features an innovative architectural design that integrates harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Gold

2024

Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars

2024

BEST Oliveira Da Serra Olive Oils
06
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AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars

2024

BEST The Studio Coffee Roasters Coffee Beans
07
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AWARDS

The Gin Masters - Gold

2022

BEST Elsa Sousa Unipessoal Spirits
08

Spirit

SILVES, Portugal
3.8
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Bagamel is a Portuguese company established in 1976, headquartered in Silves, in the Algarve region. It specializes in the production and bottling of alcoholic beverages, with a particular focus on the traditional aguardente de medronho (arbutus berry brandy).


The company employs original and traditional production methods to ensure the authenticity and quality of its products. In addition to arbutus berry brandy, Bagamel offers a variety of liqueurs, including lemon, orange, carob, and almond liqueurs, crafted to suit Portuguese tastes. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Algarvian Food Products

01
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AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2022

02
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2024

03
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2022

04
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2019

05
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Oliveira da Serra Gourmet is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil produced in Portugal by Sovena Portugal Consumer Goods, SA. This oil is known for its strong character and distinctly aromatic profile. The aromas are rich in green notes, including freshly cut grass, tomato leaf, green olive, green banana peel, and green apple.


The flavor highlights green notes, especially freshly cut grass, green apple, and green almond peel, with medium to moderately strong bitterness and spiciness. It finishes with a long-lasting and intense aftertaste.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Gold

2024

Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars

2024

06
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Oliveira da Serra Lagar do Marmelo is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil produced in Portugal by Sovena Portugal Consumer Goods, SA. This oil is known for its rich flavor, featuring a harmonious balance of fruity, bitter, and spicy notes. It highlights hints of banana and green apple, complemented by the presence of freshly cut grass.


It has a mild bitterness and a medium to mild spiciness, leaving a pleasant aftertaste with a subtle finish of dried fruit.
AWARDS

ATHENA IOOC - Gold

2024

Crystal Taste Award - 3 stars

2024

07
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AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold

2023, 2022

08
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Monterosa Picual is an extra virgin olive oil produced by Viveiros Monterosa, Lda. This premium olive oil is derived from the Picual variety of olives, known for their robust flavor and high antioxidant content. The olives are carefully harvested and milled to ensure the highest quality and to preserve their nutritional benefits.


Monterosa Picual is characterized by its intense green fruitiness, with notes of freshly cut grass, tomato, and a well-balanced bitterness and pungency.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold

2017, 2016

09
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Monterosa Premium Cobrançosa is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil produced by Viveiros Monterosa, Lda. in Portugal. This product is made from the Cobrançosa olive variety, known for its robust flavor profile and rich aromatic characteristics. Monterosa Premium Cobrançosa olive oil is esteemed for its balance of fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency, making it a versatile choice for culinary applications.


The olives are carefully harvested and processed using traditional and modern techniques to ensure the preservation of their natural qualities.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold

2022

10
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Monterosa Premium Picual is an olive oil produced by Viveiros Monterosa, Lda, a company known for its high-quality olive products. The olive oil is made from the Picual variety, which is renowned for its robust flavor and high antioxidant content.


This premium product is cold-extracted to maintain its rich taste and nutritional benefits. The company's dedication to traditional agricultural techniques and modern technology ensures that Monterosa Premium Picual is a top-tier olive oil offering a balance of flavor and health benefits.
AWARDS

Olive Japan - Gold

2022

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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Algarvian Food